Ready, Set, 2019!
Today is about setting up your goals so that you can achieve the highest level of social impact in 2019! Are you ready to be the best version of you so you can be the change?
Goal-Setting Technique #1: Write-Down the Your Desired State of Being
What might surprise you is this is not just about creating a list of goals and all the hard work you are going to put into them, although that is a part of it. This is a holistic approach. As a friend of mine put it, “It’s about becoming, then doing, then having”.
He had been homeless before birthing his organization. In fact, surprisingly, I have a lot of extremely successful, creative (male) friends who it took being homeless for a time for them to work hard on themselves to then become the person they needed to be first and foremost before they reached new heights. This is not something I recommend for safety purposes. However, some are famous YouTubers, others are 20-something year old investors, others are community-builders with massive followings.
There is no external breakthrough without internal breakthrough first, meaning there is a mindset shift necessary to be able to take yourself to the next level. Instead of asking yourself first what will you do, try asking yourself, who do I need to become? What qualities or state of being do I need to embody to reach my potential? This requires daily intentions to check-in with yourself whether or not you are living these values on a regular basis.
Action:
Write down 5 states of being that you need to embody this year.
Example:
Loving, Patient, Connected, Fierce, Vocal
Goal-Setting Technique #2: Define Your Impact Base
According to the GreenLeaf Center for Servant Leadership, Servant leadership is a philosophy and set of practices that enriches the lives of individuals, builds better organizations and ultimately creates a more just and caring world. As someone dedicated to making the world a better place, it stands to reason that servant leadership may be one of the best tools to do so.
Many people can be an advocate for change but may not know specifically who it is they have a heart to serve. For years, I had no idea who I was serving. I thought it was everyone; however, this method actually decreases your level of impact per group as you may be spread too thin.
Action:
Ask yourself, “Who do I serve?”
Consider the idea that you will maximize your impact by defining your base first of a segment you wish to serve.
Example:
I serve women with an emphasis on minorities and those in underserved communities.
Goal-Setting Technique #3: Listen to Your Inner Guide for Focus
How will you create impact this year? Will you host a marathon, lead organizational activities, or start your social enterprise? Whatever it is that you do, choose what is most on your heart to do.
Check in with your overarching dreams for your life. Have you been procrastinating?
Action:
Write a list of 10 things you have always wanted to do or are in the process of doing which bring your soul joy and give back to others.
Meditate for 3 minutes, and then pick 3.
Meditate for another 5 minutes.
Consider what weighs the heaviest on your heart. Then pick the one that will be your focus for the first 6 months of 2019. Pick the runner up choice as the next target for the last half of the year.
You are still welcome to have several; however, having a focus is essential for being able to dedicate the amount of time needed for highest impact.
Example:
I am deeply motivated to inspire and uplift women to take action through entrepreneurship and leadership. My three would be writing inspirational content, planning events, and producing a podcast.
My #1 inner guide goal for the first half of the year would be the writing inspirational content through my blog. The second half of the year can be dedicated to planning events. The podcast production workload can be lowered to once a month to minimize distraction from my other goals.
Goal-Setting Technique #4: Quantify Your Impact Reach
In How to Measure Progress in Personal Goals, Cooper points out the importance of using specific targets to measure progress. Measurement is key! Use of the SMART framework can help in setting up the right parameters for this year.
Action:
Consider your schedule this year, and write down a number of your impact base group that you plan to reach this year.
Utilize the SMART Goal Framework.
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Realistic
Example:
I will reach 500 women this year.
Specific: I would like to engage with women in-person or online.
Measurable: Monthly, I will need to engage with 40 people a month to reach this goal. This would be 10 women per week.
Attainable: To make this feasible, I will need a social media teammate to help me post weekly content.
Realistic: This is possible if timed appropriately in the different segments of the year. This means I may have to push harder starting in the summer/fall once the foundation has been set.
Time: The 12 month time period is applicable.
Goal-Setting Technique #5: Get Connected with a Similar Goal-Oriented Community
You hear it all the time, but yes, accountability works. Cooper called this “show and tell”. I call it sisterhood. Whatever community you decide to plug into, they are the ones you need to speak boldly and loudly about your goals to. They are the ones who will encourage you to take those steps, and if they truly are goal-oriented in a similar way, you will help uplift them as well! As the saying goes, iron sharpens iron.
Action:
Review your answers from the previous steps. Answer the question, what type of group would best help me grow in these areas of impact?
Example:
For some of the ladies reading, SheCatalysts will offer a supportive community of women changemakers that will help you reach your impact goals as friends and mentors in business and leadership.
